The most dangerous snakes in the world

The capture of a rare venomous sea snake on a Southern California beach is causing alarm. Here's a look at some of the snakes responsible for most of the world's snakebites, according to the World Health Organization.

Sea snakes

This rare venomous sea snake found slithering on the sand in Newport Beach is one of a growing number of the serpents apparently drawn far north of their usual habitat by the spread of warm ocean temperatures, a biologist says.

The yellow-bellied sea snake discovered near the 18th Street lifeguard tower on Monday was the third report of the species in Southern California since 2015 — and the fifth since 1972, said Greg Pauly, herpetological curator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

"Oceans are warming and the species that respond to that change will be those that are the most mobile," Pauly said. "So the big question now is this: Are sea snakes swimming off the coast of Southern California the new normal?"

Sporting short sharp fangs capable of delivering extremely potent venom, the snake — named for its bright yellow underside and flattened yellow tail with black spots — is no joke.

But Pauly said "these are pretty mellow animals" and they are unlikely to bite a person unless they are picked up.

Natural History Museum of Los An

West African carpet viper

Saw-scaled, or carpet vipers, are a major cause of snakebite envenoming in Sub-Saharan African savannas north of the rainforest belt, in the Arabian Peninsula and extending through Iran to Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, according to the World Health Organization. This is a West African carpet viper from Nigeria. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Egyptian cobras

Several cobra species belong to the genus Naja, according to the World Health Organization. Cobras are found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, as well as throughout South and South East Asia. This is an Egyptian cobra, photographed in Kenya. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Monocellate cobras

Several cobra species belong to the genus Naja, according to the World Health Organization. Cobras are found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, as well as throughout South and South East Asia. This is a monocellate cobra from Thailand. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Puff adders

Puff adders are found in Sub-Saharab Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, causing many snakebites that result in permanent disability or death, according to the World Health Organization. This puff adder is from Kenya. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Mambas

Mambas are a group of widely distributed venomous snakes with neurotoxic venom, feared because of high fatality rates associated with envenoming, according to the World Health Organization. This is a black mamba photographed in Swaziland. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Russell's vipers

Russell's vipers are responsible for thousands of snakebite envenoming cases in South and South East Asia, according to the World Health Organization. Bites by this snake are a major cause of acute kidney injury requiring haemodialysis. This is a Siamese Russell's viper from Cambodia. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Krait

Several krait species with potent neurotoxic venom are found in South and South East Asia, according to the World Health Organization. They can enter homes at night, biting people sleeping on floor mats. This is the Malayan krait from Thailand. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Malayan pit vipers

The Malayan pit viper is a major cause of snakebite envenoming in South East Asia, according to the World Health Organization. They are found in forests and plantations, remaining motionless. Many victims are bitten after walking on or near it. This is a Malayan pit viper from Cambodia. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Papuan taipans

Papuan taipans cause the most deaths from snakebite in Australia and Papua New Guinea, according to the World Health Organization, with most occurring in Papua New Guinea. Fatality rates are close to 100 percent without antivenom. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Brown snakes

According to the World Health Organization, brown snakes from genus Pseudonaja cause 50 percent of all snakebite-related deaths in Australia. This is a common brown snake from eastern Australia. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Lancehead vipers

Several lancehead viper species are found throughout Central and South America, according to the World Health Organization. They are responsible for many snakebite envenomings. This is a Bothrops asper from Costa Rica. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

David J. Williams/WHO

Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes are found from southern Canada, throughout the United States and into Mexico, as well as Central and the northern half of South America, according to the World Health Organization. Bites are common. This is a neotropical rattlesnake from South America. (David J. Williams/World Health Organization)

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